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8/27/2025
Tony Hawk Announced as Keynote Speaker for VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ 2025 IMPACT™ Conference
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies is pleased to announce that legendary skateboarder and entrepreneur Tony Hawk will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 IMPACTTM Conference, taking place Oct. 19-24 in Orlando, Fla.
Hawk — the man who put skateboarding on the global map — will present his inspiring keynote, “How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO.” With his trademark modesty and humor, Hawk will share the remarkable journey from professional skateboarder to successful CEO, offering lessons on leadership, perseverance, and staying true to one’s values.
In a sport that's especially youth-oriented, Hawk, a 50-something father of four, still connects with his audience by staying true to who he is. Moving easily between the ramp and the boardroom, he founded a skateboard company, Birdhouse, and has a video game series bearing his name that has sold over $1 billion worldwide, making it the best-selling action sports game franchise in gaming history. He founded The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation), which has given away over $13 million to over 700 skatepark projects throughout the United States that serve over nine million visitors a year.
Starting his business out of the trunk of his car, Hawk pledged to maintain authenticity in all he did, and it has served him well. His story of building global brands and giving back to the community, and his lessons of leadership, perseverance, and initiative are sure to resonate with both seasoned leaders and those just beginning their journey — even if they don’t grind rails in a skatepark.
“Tony Hawk stands out as an entrepreneur who worked hard, rose through the ranks, and achieved great success, which perfectly aligns with the experiences of our distributors,” said Jeff Paul, VIPAR Heavy Duty Vice President of Marketing. “Our attendees are sure to head back to their businesses inspired to catch air and carve their own path to success with renewed energy and vision.”
The IMPACT Conference is a weeklong event that brings together the heavy duty aftermarket industry’s leading distributors, suppliers, industry associates, and aftermarket leaders. In addition to Hawk’s keynote, the conference will feature business and industry updates, annual stockholder and member meetings, interactive panels, educational sessions, a trade show, networking opportunities, and more than 1,500 one-on-one distributor-supplier partner meetings.
Tony Hawk — the man who put skateboarding on the global map — will present his inspiring keynote, “How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO” at the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies' 2025 IMPACT Conference in Orlando, Fla., this October.
VIPAR Heavy Duty Set to Deliver Connection and Opportunity at 2025 IMPACT™ Conference in Orlando
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies is gearing up for its highly anticipated IMPACTTM Conference, scheduled for Oct. 19-24 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla. Widely recognized as one of the heavy duty aftermarket’s premier networking and business events, the conference brings together VIPAR Heavy Duty and Power Heavy Duty distributors, supplier partners, and industry leaders for an energizing week of connection, education, and collaboration.
The weeklong event will feature business and industry updates, a keynote address, annual stockholder and member meetings, educational sessions, a trade show, networking opportunities, and more than 1,500 one-to-one distributor-supplier partner meetings.
“IMPACT is where strategic decisions are made, new opportunities emerge, partnerships are forged, and our network moves forward together,” said Chris Baer, VIPAR Heavy Duty President and CEO. “Since we last met, we’ve surpassed 1,000 distributor locations, expanded deeper into LATAM and new markets throughout the Americas, and rolled out transformative technology solutions. We are preparing for the 2025 IMPACT Conference with great optimism, momentum, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of the heavy duty aftermarket.”
Each year, VIPAR Heavy Duty honors industry friends and their contributions to the network and aftermarket through the IMPACT Memorial Golf Tournament. This year’s beneficiary is the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), a 501(c)(3) organization that supports people employed in the heavy duty aftermarket industry and their families during times of hardship. VIPAR Heavy Duty was proud to enter into a new partnership with AACF earlier this year.
Prime opportunities for networking and mentorship further elevate the conference experience, with specialized gatherings designed for professionals with shared interests, including the dynamic GenNext speed mentoring session, the Young Leaders Round Table Lunch, and the Women in Business Networking Reception.
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies is gearing up for its highly anticipated IMPACTTM Conference, scheduled for Oct. 19-24 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla.
VIPAR Heavy Duty Launches the Nucleus Knowledge Center Online Training Platform
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies has launched the Nucleus Knowledge Center™, an all-new online training platform designed specifically for heavy-duty truck parts professionals. The new resource provides training courses, reporting, feedback, and certificates of completion in a user-friendly format for both learners and administrators.
Basic, intermediate, and advanced courses are available to learners through on-demand, online classes and videos and instructor-led, recorded webinars. Content supports all areas and roles in the heavy duty parts business, including counter staff, outside sales, and technicians. For administrators, an intuitive dashboard makes it easy to assign training and then track course enrollment and completion. Quizzes and assessments are automatically initiated, and certificates of completion are awarded.
Built on a world-class learning management system, the platform is exclusively available to distributors within the VIPAR Heavy Duty and Power Heavy Duty networks.
“The launch of the Nucleus Knowledge Center represents a pivotal step in advancing workforce development across the heavy-duty aftermarket,” said Jeff Paul, VIPAR Heavy Duty Vice President of Marketing.
“As the industry undergoes a generational transition, training is more mission-critical than ever. For distributors, the platform delivers accessible, consistent, and customizable training that strengthens product knowledge, enhances customer service, and drives long-term business performance. In turn, it helps suppliers maximize the return on their training investments and ensures that those selling and servicing their products are prepared to do so with knowledge and confidence.”
Development of the Nucleus Knowledge Center was led by Al Vaisvila, Training/End User Program Manager for VIPAR Heavy Duty. Working closely with distributors, suppliers, and a professional learning management system provider, Vaisvila ensured the platform was designed with both learners and administrators in mind.
“Our distributors are busy running their businesses. Finding, scheduling, and monitoring quality training can be daunting on top of the everyday attention and tasks that need to be performed. This platform significantly reduces that burden and simultaneously empowers their team to identify the right parts, solve customer challenges, and maintain strong, lasting relationships,” said Vaisvila.
“This is just the beginning of a long-term initiative for continuous learning and innovation, and one that underscores our commitment to supporting both our distributors and suppliers. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution – it’s a platform built to evolve. We’re starting strong, and once you're on this path of continuous learning, opportunities for growth continue to unfold,” added Chris Baer, VIPAR Heavy Duty President & CEO.
VIPAR Heavy Duty's new online training platform, the Nucleus Knowledge Center, was designed specifically for heavy-duty truck parts professionals and is exclusively available to members of the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies.
VIPAR Heavy Duty Launches the Nucleus Knowledge Center Online Training Platform
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies has launched the Nucleus Knowledge Center™, an all-new online training platform designed specifically for heavy-duty truck parts professionals. The new resource provides training courses, reporting, feedback, and certificates of completion in a user-friendly format for both learners and administrators.
Basic, intermediate, and advanced courses are available to learners through on-demand, online classes and videos and instructor-led, recorded webinars. Content supports all areas and roles in the heavy duty parts business, including counter staff, outside sales, and technicians. For administrators, an intuitive dashboard makes it easy to assign training and then track course enrollment and completion. Quizzes and assessments are automatically initiated, and certificates of completion are awarded.
Built on a world-class learning management system, the platform is exclusively available to distributors within the VIPAR Heavy Duty and Power Heavy Duty networks.
“The launch of the Nucleus Knowledge Center represents a pivotal step in advancing workforce development across the heavy-duty aftermarket,” said Jeff Paul, VIPAR Heavy Duty Vice President of Marketing.
“As the industry undergoes a generational transition, training is more mission-critical than ever. For distributors, the platform delivers accessible, consistent, and customizable training that strengthens product knowledge, enhances customer service, and drives long-term business performance. In turn, it helps suppliers maximize the return on their training investments and ensures that those selling and servicing their products are prepared to do so with knowledge and confidence.”
Development of the Nucleus Knowledge Center was led by Al Vaisvila, Training/End User Program Manager for VIPAR Heavy Duty. Working closely with distributors, suppliers, and a professional learning management system provider, Vaisvila ensured the platform was designed with both learners and administrators in mind.
“Our distributors are busy running their businesses. Finding, scheduling, and monitoring quality training can be daunting on top of the everyday attention and tasks that need to be performed. This platform significantly reduces that burden and simultaneously empowers their team to identify the right parts, solve customer challenges, and maintain strong, lasting relationships,” said Vaisvila.
“This is just the beginning of a long-term initiative for continuous learning and innovation, and one that underscores our commitment to supporting both our distributors and suppliers. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution – it’s a platform built to evolve. We’re starting strong, and once you're on this path of continuous learning, opportunities for growth continue to unfold,” added Chris Baer, VIPAR Heavy Duty President & CEO.
VIPAR Heavy Duty's new online training platform, the Nucleus Knowledge Center, was designed specifically for heavy-duty truck parts professionals and is exclusively available to members of the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies.
Tony Hawk Announced as Keynote Speaker for VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ 2025 IMPACT™ Conference
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies is pleased to announce that legendary skateboarder and entrepreneur Tony Hawk will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 IMPACTTM Conference, taking place Oct. 19-24 in Orlando, Fla.
Hawk — the man who put skateboarding on the global map — will present his inspiring keynote, “How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO.” With his trademark modesty and humor, Hawk will share the remarkable journey from professional skateboarder to successful CEO, offering lessons on leadership, perseverance, and staying true to one’s values.
In a sport that's especially youth-oriented, Hawk, a 50-something father of four, still connects with his audience by staying true to who he is. Moving easily between the ramp and the boardroom, he founded a skateboard company, Birdhouse, and has a video game series bearing his name that has sold over $1 billion worldwide, making it the best-selling action sports game franchise in gaming history. He founded The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation), which has given away over $13 million to over 700 skatepark projects throughout the United States that serve over nine million visitors a year.
Starting his business out of the trunk of his car, Hawk pledged to maintain authenticity in all he did, and it has served him well. His story of building global brands and giving back to the community, and his lessons of leadership, perseverance, and initiative are sure to resonate with both seasoned leaders and those just beginning their journey — even if they don’t grind rails in a skatepark.
“Tony Hawk stands out as an entrepreneur who worked hard, rose through the ranks, and achieved great success, which perfectly aligns with the experiences of our distributors,” said Jeff Paul, VIPAR Heavy Duty Vice President of Marketing. “Our attendees are sure to head back to their businesses inspired to catch air and carve their own path to success with renewed energy and vision.”
The IMPACT Conference is a weeklong event that brings together the heavy duty aftermarket industry’s leading distributors, suppliers, industry associates, and aftermarket leaders. In addition to Hawk’s keynote, the conference will feature business and industry updates, annual stockholder and member meetings, interactive panels, educational sessions, a trade show, networking opportunities, and more than 1,500 one-on-one distributor-supplier partner meetings.
Tony Hawk — the man who put skateboarding on the global map — will present his inspiring keynote, “How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO” at the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies' 2025 IMPACT Conference in Orlando, Fla., this October.
VIPAR Heavy Duty Set to Deliver Connection and Opportunity at 2025 IMPACT™ Conference in Orlando
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies is gearing up for its highly anticipated IMPACTTM Conference, scheduled for Oct. 19-24 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla. Widely recognized as one of the heavy duty aftermarket’s premier networking and business events, the conference brings together VIPAR Heavy Duty and Power Heavy Duty distributors, supplier partners, and industry leaders for an energizing week of connection, education, and collaboration.
The weeklong event will feature business and industry updates, a keynote address, annual stockholder and member meetings, educational sessions, a trade show, networking opportunities, and more than 1,500 one-to-one distributor-supplier partner meetings.
“IMPACT is where strategic decisions are made, new opportunities emerge, partnerships are forged, and our network moves forward together,” said Chris Baer, VIPAR Heavy Duty President and CEO. “Since we last met, we’ve surpassed 1,000 distributor locations, expanded deeper into LATAM and new markets throughout the Americas, and rolled out transformative technology solutions. We are preparing for the 2025 IMPACT Conference with great optimism, momentum, and a shared commitment to shaping the future of the heavy duty aftermarket.”
Each year, VIPAR Heavy Duty honors industry friends and their contributions to the network and aftermarket through the IMPACT Memorial Golf Tournament. This year’s beneficiary is the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), a 501(c)(3) organization that supports people employed in the heavy duty aftermarket industry and their families during times of hardship. VIPAR Heavy Duty was proud to enter into a new partnership with AACF earlier this year.
Prime opportunities for networking and mentorship further elevate the conference experience, with specialized gatherings designed for professionals with shared interests, including the dynamic GenNext speed mentoring session, the Young Leaders Round Table Lunch, and the Women in Business Networking Reception.
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies is gearing up for its highly anticipated IMPACTTM Conference, scheduled for Oct. 19-24 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla.
VIPAR Heavy Duty Launches the Nucleus Knowledge Center Online Training Platform
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies has launched the Nucleus Knowledge Center™, an all-new online training platform designed specifically for heavy-duty truck parts professionals. The new resource provides training courses, reporting, feedback, and certificates of completion in a user-friendly format for both learners and administrators.
Basic, intermediate, and advanced courses are available to learners through on-demand, online classes and videos and instructor-led, recorded webinars. Content supports all areas and roles in the heavy duty parts business, including counter staff, outside sales, and technicians. For administrators, an intuitive dashboard makes it easy to assign training and then track course enrollment and completion. Quizzes and assessments are automatically initiated, and certificates of completion are awarded.
Built on a world-class learning management system, the platform is exclusively available to distributors within the VIPAR Heavy Duty and Power Heavy Duty networks.
“The launch of the Nucleus Knowledge Center represents a pivotal step in advancing workforce development across the heavy-duty aftermarket,” said Jeff Paul, VIPAR Heavy Duty Vice President of Marketing.
“As the industry undergoes a generational transition, training is more mission-critical than ever. For distributors, the platform delivers accessible, consistent, and customizable training that strengthens product knowledge, enhances customer service, and drives long-term business performance. In turn, it helps suppliers maximize the return on their training investments and ensures that those selling and servicing their products are prepared to do so with knowledge and confidence.”
Development of the Nucleus Knowledge Center was led by Al Vaisvila, Training/End User Program Manager for VIPAR Heavy Duty. Working closely with distributors, suppliers, and a professional learning management system provider, Vaisvila ensured the platform was designed with both learners and administrators in mind.
“Our distributors are busy running their businesses. Finding, scheduling, and monitoring quality training can be daunting on top of the everyday attention and tasks that need to be performed. This platform significantly reduces that burden and simultaneously empowers their team to identify the right parts, solve customer challenges, and maintain strong, lasting relationships,” said Vaisvila.
“This is just the beginning of a long-term initiative for continuous learning and innovation, and one that underscores our commitment to supporting both our distributors and suppliers. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution – it’s a platform built to evolve. We’re starting strong, and once you're on this path of continuous learning, opportunities for growth continue to unfold,” added Chris Baer, VIPAR Heavy Duty President & CEO.
VIPAR Heavy Duty's new online training platform, the Nucleus Knowledge Center, was designed specifically for heavy-duty truck parts professionals and is exclusively available to members of the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies.
Tony Hawk Announced as Keynote Speaker for VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies’ 2025 IMPACT™ Conference
The VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies is pleased to announce that legendary skateboarder and entrepreneur Tony Hawk will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 IMPACTTM Conference, taking place Oct. 19-24 in Orlando, Fla.
Hawk — the man who put skateboarding on the global map — will present his inspiring keynote, “How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO.” With his trademark modesty and humor, Hawk will share the remarkable journey from professional skateboarder to successful CEO, offering lessons on leadership, perseverance, and staying true to one’s values.
In a sport that's especially youth-oriented, Hawk, a 50-something father of four, still connects with his audience by staying true to who he is. Moving easily between the ramp and the boardroom, he founded a skateboard company, Birdhouse, and has a video game series bearing his name that has sold over $1 billion worldwide, making it the best-selling action sports game franchise in gaming history. He founded The Skatepark Project (formerly the Tony Hawk Foundation), which has given away over $13 million to over 700 skatepark projects throughout the United States that serve over nine million visitors a year.
Starting his business out of the trunk of his car, Hawk pledged to maintain authenticity in all he did, and it has served him well. His story of building global brands and giving back to the community, and his lessons of leadership, perseverance, and initiative are sure to resonate with both seasoned leaders and those just beginning their journey — even if they don’t grind rails in a skatepark.
“Tony Hawk stands out as an entrepreneur who worked hard, rose through the ranks, and achieved great success, which perfectly aligns with the experiences of our distributors,” said Jeff Paul, VIPAR Heavy Duty Vice President of Marketing. “Our attendees are sure to head back to their businesses inspired to catch air and carve their own path to success with renewed energy and vision.”
The IMPACT Conference is a weeklong event that brings together the heavy duty aftermarket industry’s leading distributors, suppliers, industry associates, and aftermarket leaders. In addition to Hawk’s keynote, the conference will feature business and industry updates, annual stockholder and member meetings, interactive panels, educational sessions, a trade show, networking opportunities, and more than 1,500 one-on-one distributor-supplier partner meetings.
Tony Hawk — the man who put skateboarding on the global map — will present his inspiring keynote, “How Did I Get Here? The Ascent of an Unlikely CEO” at the VIPAR Heavy Duty Family of Companies' 2025 IMPACT Conference in Orlando, Fla., this October.
